I started writing birthday messages for myself four years ago, when I turned 35. I had an interaction with a homeless man that morning that moved me, and I wanted to share the experience with some of my friends. That led to a message for my 36th, 37th and 38th birthdays. So, what to write this year?
I really do love my birthday. It is an opportunity to say thanks for the previous year (and to my mom for having me in the first place) and a chance to reflect on my life in general.
Since I’m entering my 40th year, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my 30s. What an amazing ride. Since I turned 30, I’ve completed three marathons, mainly to prove to myself that I could. I tried scuba diving. I got to sing with a band onstage (granted, the stage was in a hotel in Winchester, Virginia, but still…). I dated a few men who were wrong for me and one or two who might have been right for me at a different time in my life. I was honored to become friends with a bunch of amazing ladies who continue to inspire me, even cross-country! I packed up my life and moved to Los Angeles, got to watch my nice Miri grow up (still under construction!), meet P.C. and be blessed with Megan and Michael after what seemed like an endless journey of trying to have a baby. I’ve been so happy I wanted to jump for joy and so sad that I couldn’t get my head off the couch. I’ve held friends’ new babies and had to say goodbye to friends and family members.
This year has been particularly interesting. The addition of Michael to our family has made things exponentially busier, but I had no idea that my heart was capable of feeling any more love than it already had. The passing of my beloved grandmother, something I’d been dreading for decades, was very difficult, but I feel so lucky that I had the chance to see her before she passed away and tell her how much she meant to me.
And there have been many fun times this year, too! From watching Megan see Michael for the first time to a chaotic trip to Vegas with the kids that only lasted 24 hours, from out-of-town visitors to in-town Easter egg hunting and pumpkin decorating, it has been a terrific ride.
Here are some things I’ve learned in the last year:
o Nothing is as energizing (or rare) as a good night’s sleep. Or a really good nap.
o Despite taking lots of red-eye flights over the years, I’m just not able to do them anymore without burning out at the other end.
o Motherhood has proven to me, time and time again, that my own mother has been right about 95% of the time. I admit it.
o For those who are worried about their male newborn babies peeing on them, you just might find that your firstborn daughter can pee on you many more times in the first year.
o I am so lucky to have a job that I really, really like at an amazing school with amazing people.
o My girlfriends mean the world to me.
o So does my sister. I am unendingly grateful for her.
o My husband, despite working the crazy hours he does, truly puts his family before anything else.
o Being a mother means that you will never stop worrying.
o Being a mother also means that you will never stop feeling guilty about something every day of your life.
o I am so lucky to be part of a family of women on my mom’s side—especially Mom, Marilyn, Jenn, Stephanie, Nancy and Kate—who are strong and smart and funny and committed to themselves, their families and one another.
o Nothing stops a toddler temper tantrum as quickly as a tickle-fest.
o I didn’t know the expression “that just melts my heart” until I had children.
o Music will always be one of the loves of my life. Nothing cheers me up or calms me down quite as well.
o Sometimes, it really does take a village to help raise kids…and keep mommies sane.
As I’ve done over the past few years, I am trying to regularly count my blessings and be grateful for them. And I hope you’ll join me—because if you have gotten this far in my essay, you are surely one of mine!
Here’s to another year of “blessed days.”
Megan has experimented with pigtails...
P.C. got to enjoy "Snow Day" at daycare with Megan again this year, and Michael joined in the fun too...
Mom/Poppy came for two visits, and we took this photo of Poppy and the grandkids...
And Michael got his first haircut!
Last Friday was the holiday show at the kids' preschool/daycare. This is Megan's third year at the school, but the first time we ever went to the show--mainly because it starts at 6:30 at night and the kids are usually in bed at seven! But this year, because Megan's class actually practiced songs and we felt like we should do it...off we went to Pierce College!
